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Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
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Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Latvia's #1 university, teaching medicine in English at its modern Academic Centre in Riga.
5000+ Students trust us
Latvia
Country
Riga
City
#1 in Latvia
Ranking
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
The modern House of Science building at the University of Latvia Academic Centre
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Recognition & Prestige
The University of Latvia is the leading university in Latvia and one of the strongest in the Baltic region, with a medical degree recognised across the European Union and listed by the World Directory of Medical Schools and the National Medical Commission of India.
#1
in Latvia (QS Europe Region Rankings 2026)
#781–790
QS World University Rankings 2027
The medical degree is recognised internationally. The University of Latvia is a state university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and the World Health Organization directory, its degree is recognised across the European Union under the Lisbon Convention, and it is recognised by the National Medical Commission of India, so eligible graduates can sit the Indian screening examination (FMGE/NExT) for licensing.
NMC (India)
Recognised for Indian students: the University of Latvia Faculty of Medicine is recognised by the National Medical Commission, so eligible graduates can sit the FMGE/NExT screening examination and pursue licensing in India.
WDOMS & WHO
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and the World Health Organization directory of medical schools.
European Union (EHEA)
As a Latvian state degree, the qualification is recognised across the European Union and the European Economic Area under the Lisbon Convention, supporting registration and practice across the EU.
Complete Information About the University of Latvia Faculty of Medicine
Get complete information about the University of Latvia Faculty of Medicine, including tuition, living costs, admission and the licensing route for Indian students.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
The University of Latvia combines Latvia's top-ranked university with a modern campus, an EU-recognised degree, straightforward admission and an affordable, safe European capital with its own international airport.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to Medicine at the University of Latvia is based on secondary-school results in biology, chemistry and physics together with an online interview, rather than a heavy national entrance test. Indian students must also qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required to study MBBS abroad, but admission to the University of Latvia itself is decided by school performance and the interview, not by NEET rank.
The online application window for the 2026/2027 academic year opens through the University of Latvia admissions system.
The university assesses secondary-school results, with particular weight on biology, chemistry and physics, along with English proficiency evidence.
Shortlisted applicants take an online interview covering motivation, English and basic science understanding.
Successful applicants receive an offer of admission and enrolment instructions.
Admitted students confirm their place, pay the first-year tuition and complete visa and residence-permit steps for Latvia.
Studies begin for the new intake at the University of Latvia Academic Centre in Riga.
Applicants must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent secondary education) with good grades in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and Indian students must have qualified NEET for NMC eligibility.
Subjects:
Candidates should be at least 17 years old in the year of admission, in line with standard MBBS-abroad and NMC requirements.
Selection is based on secondary-school results and an interview. Applications are submitted through the University of Latvia online admissions system, directly or through an approved representative.
School Results + Interview
The university assesses secondary-school grades in biology, chemistry and physics and an online interview on motivation, English and science, rather than a heavy written entrance test.
NEET (for Indian students)
Indian students must qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required for studying MBBS abroad and for the screening examination on return.
Admission is based on secondary-school performance and an interview, not on category-wise minimum marks or a national entrance test.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Secondary-school results | Assessment of Class 12 grades, with particular weight on biology, chemistry and physics, plus proof of English proficiency. |
| Interview | An online interview covering motivation, English communication and basic science understanding; part of the final decision. |
To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
Students follow a six-year medical curriculum that balances medical theory with real clinical exposure, taught entirely in English and built around the University of Latvia's Academic Centre and the major Riga teaching hospitals.
Total Duration:
6 Years
Degree:
Physician's qualification (ārsts), equivalent to MBBS
Years 1–2
Basic medical sciences focused on the structure and function of the healthy human body, with early laboratory and clinical-skills work in the new Academic Centre:
Years 3–4
Paraclinical sciences and the first structured patient contact in the Riga teaching hospitals, bridging laboratory science and bedside medicine:
Years 5–6
Clinical rotations across the specialties in the Riga teaching hospitals, followed by a final practical year before the degree is awarded:
Clinical training takes place in the University of Latvia's network of Riga teaching hospitals, beginning with early patient contact and building to full clinical rotations and a final practical year.
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | Pre-clinical foundations and basic clinical skills at the Academic Centre. |
| Years 3–4 | Paraclinical sciences and first structured patient contact in the teaching hospitals. |
| Years 5–6 | Clinical rotations across the specialties and a final practical year in the Riga teaching hospitals. |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Global Exchange
The University of Latvia has one of the largest exchange networks in the Baltic region, with more than 500 Erasmus+ agreements covering 326 institutions across 31 European countries. Beyond Erasmus+, the university also takes part in Campus Europae, the Utrecht Network and ISEP, so medical students can apply to spend a semester studying at partner universities across Europe and beyond.
| Country | Erasmus+ Partner Universities (Medicine) |
|---|---|
| Croatia | University of Zagreb School of Medicine |
| Czech Republic | Charles University – First Faculty of Medicine; Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine |
| Estonia | University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine |
| Germany | Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg Faculty of Medicine |
| Greece | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine |
| Hungary | Semmelweis University |
| Italy | University of Bologna Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences; Sapienza University of Rome Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry; University of Catania School of Medicine |
| Lithuania | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Kaunas); Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine |
| Poland | Jagiellonian University Medical College; Poznan University of Medical Sciences; Medical University of Lublin |
| Slovakia | Comenius University in Bratislava Faculty of Medicine |
| Spain | University of Barcelona Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; University of Valencia Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry |
| Turkey | Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine |
Explore Your Erasmus+ Options
Erasmus+ and the university's other exchange programmes let students spend a semester at a partner university in Europe. Get the full partner list and details from our experts.
Legacy
The University of Latvia's modern Faculty of Medicine was re-established in 1997, so its own medical graduates are early- to mid-career doctors. The wider University of Latvia, founded in 1919, has educated many of the nation's most prominent figures across public life, science and culture.
Guntis Ulmanis graduated from the University of Latvia and served as the President of Latvia from 1993 to 1999, during the country's early years of restored independence. He is one of the university's most prominent graduates in public life.
Valdis Dombrovskis studied physics at the University of Latvia and went on to serve as Prime Minister of Latvia and as an Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, one of the most senior roles in the European Union.
Mikhail Tal studied at the University of Latvia and became the eighth World Chess Champion, widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and creative players in the history of the game. He remains a symbol of the university's intellectual tradition.
The University of Latvia Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences is led by its Dean, Professor Kristaps Jaudzems, a leading Latvian scientist. Teaching is delivered by a body of physicians, scientists and clinicians across the Academic Centre and the major Riga teaching hospitals, combining research and hospital-based clinical training.
Led by Dean Professor Kristaps Jaudzems
Physicians and scientists with international publications
Clinical teachers in major Riga hospitals
Research strength across the life sciences
Regular academic interaction
Personal mentorship
Clinical supervision during rotations
Modern Academic Centre teaching facilities
About University
The historic main building of the University of Latvia in central Riga
Get all information about the University of Latvia in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at the University of Latvia.
Role in medicine
Get all information about the University of Latvia in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at the University of Latvia.
Affordable education
Riga offers strong medical education at a comparatively low cost of living for a European capital. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for an international student, quoted in Indian rupees.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (dormitory or shared flat) | ₹22,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Food | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Transportation (student pass) | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 |
| Other Expenses (utilities, internet, leisure) | ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 |
Average monthly living cost
₹45,000 – ₹85,000
Restored merchant houses in Riga's old town
Housing
The University of Latvia offers student dormitories and helps international students find private housing in Riga. Both options are affordable by European standards and keep students within reach of the Academic Centre and the teaching hospitals.
The University of Latvia operates student dormitories offering an affordable, safe and supportive base, especially valuable for first-year students settling into a new city.
Dormitory rooms are typically shared, with communal kitchens, study areas and laundry, located within reach of the Academic Centre and the teaching hospitals.
Dormitory places are among the most affordable options in Riga, and a room in a shared private flat typically costs about €350 to €500 per month.
Dormitory places are limited and are requested through the university after admission; students should apply early once they receive an offer.
Students who prefer more comfort or independence can choose privately operated student residences, or rent or share a private flat. Both options cost noticeably more than the university halls, and students organise this independently as the university does not arrange private housing.
The Academic Centre is in the Torņakalns district, and Riga's compact size means students live within a short tram or bus ride of teaching sites.
The university and its international student services help new arrivals find housing and settle in, including guidance on contracts and neighbourhoods.
Riga has an affordable tram, trolleybus and bus network with a low-cost student pass, and Riga International Airport offers direct flights, so travel is easy.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Indian and vegetarian food is available in Riga, which has a large international student community and a range of restaurants, grocery options and student canteens.
University canteens at the Academic Centre and nearby cafes serve affordable daily meals, with vegetarian options available for students who prefer them.
Location
Academic Centre (House of Science), Jelgavas iela 3, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia (main building: Raiņa bulvāris 19, Riga)
Nearest Airport
Riga International Airport (RIX), the largest airport in the Baltics, with direct connections and about 15 to 20 minutes from the campus
Local Transport
Riga has an affordable network of trams, trolleybuses and buses with a low-cost student pass, connecting the Academic Centre in the Torņakalns district with the city centre and hospitals.
Your Roadmap to Success
On completing the programme, graduates earn the University of Latvia physician's qualification, equivalent to an MBBS, recognised across the European Union and by regulators in India and many other countries.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
To practise medicine in India after graduating from the University of Latvia, Indian students follow a clear pathway set by the National Medical Commission. NEET qualification is required from the start to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate.
Step 1
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. This is currently the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is transitioning to the National Exit Test (NExT).
Step 2
After qualifying, students complete a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India, gaining supervised clinical experience across the major departments.
Step 3
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council, after which the graduate can practise as a doctor in India.
Student Life Style
Being an MBBS student in Riga is a mix of intensive academics, a beautiful UNESCO-listed capital and a large international community, in an affordable and safe European city, with a brand-new campus at the heart of it.
The University of Latvia Academic Centre in Riga at night
Scholarship & Financial
University of Latvia students can explore a small number of scholarship and financial-support routes, though most international students self-fund the programme.
The University of Latvia offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships and academic awards that recognise strong academic performance during the programme; availability and terms vary by year.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at the University of Latvia.
4.6
140 reviews
Compare
Compare the University of Latvia Faculty of Medicine with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
University of Latvia vs CMC Vellore
| University | University of LatviaRiga, Latvia | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (General Medicine, MBBS-equivalent) | 5.5 years (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹12.3 lakh (€11,850) | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Admission | School results + interview (NEET needed for NMC eligibility) | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | NMC-recognised; EU/EEA-recognised; WDOMS & WHO-listed | NMC-recognised |
| Global Ranking | #1 in Latvia; QS World #781–790 | Among India's leading medical colleges |
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Our blog
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at the University of Latvia.
